Updated: Woman describes man's transformation into Clark Rockefeller

ALHAMBRA -- A woman testified Tuesday in Alhambra Superior Court that she witnessed a German national's transformation into Clark Rockefeller.

Mihoko Manabe said she dated the man and lived with him until about 1994. She first knew him as Christopher Crowe. The two worked together at a New York City securities firm in the late 1980s.

The man, whose real name is Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, was being sought by police in connection with the disappearance of John Sohus, 27, of San Marino. Manabe said her friend settled on using the name Clark Rockefeller when making dinner reservations at a restaurant in Maine.

"Eventually, he became Clark Rockefeller," Manabe said.

Prosecutors Tuesday expected to call their final seven witnesses in a preliminary hearing for Gerhartsreiter who is suspected in the 1985 bludgeoning death of a San Marino man.

Gerhartsreiter, 50, aka Clark Rockefeller, could face life in prison if convicted in the case, which could go to trial as early as September, officials said.

Leading up to Tuesday's hearing prosecutors called 23 witnesses, including representatives of law enforcement and civilians.

First witness of the day was Manabe, who said she was Gerhartsreiter's girlfriend until 1994. She knew him as Christopher Crowe. Manabe said after she was contacted by police in Greenwich, Crowe became nervous and the couple began taking measures to avoid others including the police. She said she helped him become Clark Rockefeller.

"I just wanted to protect him.," Manabe said.

Crowe told stories about his past to hide his true identity, Manabe said.

"He said he was from Pasadena, went to Caltech and studied film at USC,' Manabe testified. "He said had a grandmother in England.